Mano Menezes admits opponent's superiority and takes blame for Fluminense's elimination

Fluminense coach Mano Menezes, despite the recovery of the Tricolor Carioca this season, was unable to prevent his team's elimination in the quarterfinals of the Copa Libertadores, in the duel against Atlético-MG, held this Wednesday (25), at Mineirão. In the press conference after the game, the coach admitted that the opponent was superior and stated that the tricolor team was unable to react to the dominance that Galo exercised during the match.

Tactical analysis and difficulties on the field

During the press conference, Mano Menezes explained that Fluminense were under pressure from the beginning of the match and had difficulty transitioning from defense to attack. The team from Rio de Janeiro stayed away from the opponent's area most of the time and were unable to successfully exchange passes. The coach even changed the tactical formation to try to balance the game, putting in a defender to free up the wingers, but the strategy was ineffective.

Mano Menezes recognized the merits of Atlético-MG, who dominated both tactically and physically: “…it's their merit. We couldn't exchange passes and that made the game unsustainable. No one can stand to stay like we were”said the coach. He added that the elimination is his responsibility, since Fluminense's mistakes were strategic and tactical errors: “When a team is superior, like Atlético-MG was superior to us, the team's problem was tactical, it was strategic, it was global. And that responsibility is mine”said the coach of the Rio de Janeiro club.

Game Details

Atlético-MG was superior throughout the match. Early in the game, the team from Minas Gerais could have opened the scoring with a penalty after a cross from Guilherme Arana, but Hulk's shot was saved by goalkeeper Fábio. Even after the missed penalty, Atlético-MG maintained control of the match, creating scoring chances and forcing the tricolor goalkeeper to make several saves.

^{Deyverson's second goal put Atlético-MG ahead on aggregate (Video: reproduction/Instagram/@libertadores)}

In the second half, Atlético-MG continued to press and, unlike in the first half, they managed to convert the pressure into a goal. Deyverson opened the scoring with a header. Fluminense still tried to react, but without success. At the end of the game, Hulk made a dangerous cross that resulted in Deyverson's second goal, guaranteeing Atlético-MG's qualification and eliminating Fluminense from the competition.

Featured Photo: Mano Menezes during Fluminense training (Reproduction/Instagram/@fluminensefc)